Christian author and motivational speaker Barbara Johnson once said, “When you’re in a jam, good friends will bring you bread with peanut butter on it.”

This week’s story was inspired by two friends who are currently going through two separate and very hard times in their lives. To them, my heart goes out to them and they‘re in my prayers always. And my heart goes out to you, dear reader, if your life has unexpectedly been turned upside down. If that be the case, this week’s story is for you, too.

I don’t really remember when these feelings of loathing started. Maybe it was when my parents moved me to the frozen tundra of the mid-west, and I spent four and a half years slogging through the snow, ice and sub-zero temperatures at the University of Nebraska.

Democrat Leader James Clyburn of SC said the other day: “we’ve got to spend our way out of this recession.” This backwards reasoning echoes President Obama’s speech from nearly a year ago when he was promoting his $787 billion stimulus bill. Remember? This was the brilliant plan that promised to keep unemployment under eight percent. It’s been hovering around ten percent for several months now, and is actually closer to 17 percent if you count all those who have quit looking for jobs. Anyway, Obama was attempting to counter his Con

One thing I love to do is flip though the New York Times bestseller list and book review section.

There were some decent titles listed this past week, but one that really caught my attention and not in a good way.

There’s a book with a rather “unique” subject. And referring to this as unique wasn’t exactly a good thing in this case. Back in 1813, Jane Austen wrote a masterpiece called “Pride and Prejudice.” It’s a beautiful story that has also reached its 100 year mark, making it legally public domain.

Am I on the only one that remembers the Bee Gees song? The lights are now on and Americans are at home.

At the same place the American Revolution began over 200 years ago, a political revolution began this month. In Liberal Massachusetts, Americans who believe in capitalism and free enterprise have rebuffed the far-reaching arm of the federal government and the socialist agenda proposed by the current administration.

Several months ago, I embarked on a historical journey when I began working on Campbell County: A look back at the beginning.

It was a journey that took me through four municipalities and more than 200 years of struggles and determination. It was a journey into the heritage and roots of Campbell County, a deep place where some never travel; it was a journey into the past.

With my daughter’s third birthday on the horizon and my son’s eighth birthday not yet a distant memory I recently began to reflect on my own childhood.

Of the many things I thought of was the lessons my parents tried to teach me when I growing up. It has taken some time for me to learn these lessons, but I can now honestly say I’m glad that I listened.

It is a year where nearly every office in the county is on the ballot. And if the steady traffic outside the election commission holds up as it did on the first day candidates could pick up petitions, we may have more political hopefuls than voters.

With so many offices up for grabs Campbell County is ripe for, well just about anything.

Now that the holidays are over, it was time for me to select a new ring tone for my cell phone. I don’t know about you, but “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” isn’t exactly what I’d call a beloved, year-round song--no matter how much I love it.

Tucked away recently in a cosy English pub, nursing a pint of Old Speckled Hen beer and savouring a lively conversation with a group of merry Englishmen, I was experiencing one of those blissful Old World moments that only we Americans can seem to appreciate—that is, until my partner-in-suds across the oaken table shattered my nostalgic interlude with a heartbreaking revelation- an average of five pubs close each day in England, she said, victims of modern technology.

Number 1. First, I resolve to make the most of 2010; to live and to do it quite well, despite where I may be in life. If my life isn’t perfect, at least no one can say I’m not living it to the best of my ability.

Number 2. I resolve to not get too worked up if I’m having a bad day. Instead of having bad days, I’m going to step back and realize things and people aren’t worth my anger. It doesn’t have to do with me; it all has to do with them.

Earlier this week, my last hall was finally decked, the final Christmas present was wrapped and waiting patiently under my tree full of gold and ribbon, and the last batch of Christmas cookies and tall glass of milk awaits Santa in a huge tin next to my fireplace.

With everything going on, the memories of previous Christmases take me back to a happier time in my childhood. I can’t help but think how everything was beautiful and you felt like anything could happen. How awesome Dec. 25 always was.